Ms Laura Keane:

The typical journey for a parent or child who comes to Barnardos begins with referral, which can happen through a number of avenues. We take self-referrals from parents, referrals from schools, public health nurses, doctors and community projects, and we take a number of referrals from Tusla's child protection services and duty and intake social work services. There is a very broad range of services referring into Barnardos, including families themselves. The journey then proceeds to an assessment of the child's needs, taking into account his or her unique strengths and challenges, and the strengths and challenge within the family unit. The idea of the assessment is to determine what the parents are able to bring to the table, what other supports they have around them that can be drawn on, and what is available through school and other services. The purpose is to come up with a plan of support to target particular areas of need for that particular child. For each child, an individual, tailored plan is drawn up based on his or her unique circumstances and needs.

Many of the interventions we provide are for parents, as I mentioned, with a focus on developing their insight and skills in supporting their child's development. There is a focus on how to support their relationship and communication with their child, with an understanding that this is one of the best ways to support children's well-being. Other areas of support we offer to parents following the assessment include support in providing structure and positive routines at home in order that children have a predictable environment that supports their overall development. We also work with parents on understanding their children's social and emotional needs and identifying practical ways in which they can make sure their children are achieving in those areas. Parenting input is something we regularly offer families after we have completed an assessment.

The other key service we offer is one-to-one work with children. This is often focused on developing their emotional literacy, including understanding their feelings and how they can manage their behaviour more positively and make more positive choices. We work to help them to communicate and interact more positively with family members and peers. That is very broadly the journey on which a parent or child would embark when they come to Barnardos. The focus is on providing specific, tailored plans that respond to each family's unique circumstances in the context of the particular community in which they live.

The benefit of this very direct model of support is that it means we mostly work in family homes and are really tuned into the challenges and strengths going on around a child. It allows us to develop very connected relationships with parents and children because we are in their world and we know what that looks and feels like. Our model is very much strengths-based, with an emphasis on meeting parents and children where they are at and drawing on the positives that are already there in terms of making changes. That is a very broad run-through of the process. It is different for every parent and child who comes through the door. Ms Connolly may wish to pick up on anything I missed.